The CDR Cell, the third tier of the CDR Mechanism in India, is mandated to assist the CDR Standing Forum and the CDR Empowered Group (EG) in all their functions.
All references for corporate debt restructuring by lenders/borrowers are made to the CDR Cell. It is the responsibility of the lead institution/major stakeholder to the corporate to work out a preliminary restructuring plan in consultation with other stakeholders and submit to CDR Cell. The CDR Cell makes initial scrutiny of the proposals received from the lenders/borrowers, in terms of the general policies and guidelines approved by the CDR Standing Forum, by calling for details of the proposed restructuring plan and other information and place for consideration of the CDR EG within 30 days to decide whether restructuring is prima facie feasible. If found feasible, the referring institution/bank takes up the work of preparing the detailed restructuring plan with the help of other lenders, in conjunction with CDR Cell and, if necessary, experts engaged from outside. If not found prima facie feasible, the lenders may start action for recovery of their dues.

The EG can approve or suggest modifications to the restructuring plan, but ensure that a final decision is taken within a total period of 90 days. The period can be extended up to a maximum period of 180 days from the date of reference to the CDR Cell, if there are genuine reasons.